Brewers targeting Hoffman

The Brewers need a closer and general manager Doug Melvin has targeted all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman as his choice to fill that role.

I just spoke on the phone with Melvin, and he said he's trying to find out as soon as possible -- perhaps even by the end of today -- what the chances are of signing Hoffman. The 41-year-old right-hander became a free agent when San Diego decided not to offer him salary arbitration because of budgetary restrictions.

Accordingly, Hoffman would not require the Brewers to forfeit a draft pick even though he is a Class A free agent.

"Right now, he is (our top choice)," said Melvin, who spoke with Hoffman's agent, Rick Thurman, yesterday and plans to do so again today. "We've talked parameters. I'd like to know sooner than later."

Hoffman, the all-time saves leader with 554 for his career, converted 30 of 34 save opportunities for the Padres last season. Melvin noted that the Padres won only 63 games, so Hoffman saved nearly half of the team's victory total.

Because Hoffman is a changeup specialist, Melvin said, his age is not really a factor. The Brewers probably would like to do a one-year deal with some kind of option for a second year, but Melvin wasn't sure if the future Hall of Famer would settle for just one guaranteed year.

Hoffman preferred to stay with the Padres, but they are under an ownership change that won't be settled for several months. Thus, San Diego probably won't be in position to sign him.

Reports suggest that Hoffman prefers to stay on the West Coast, and the Dodgers supposedly have interest. But a conversation I had with Thurman over the weekend led me to believe that Hoffman would come to Milwaukee with the right deal.

"We talk all the time about the mental aspect of that role, and he has the most experience out there," said Melvin. "We're trying to find out (if a deal can be struck)."

The Brewers were left without a closer when Salomon Torres retired after last season. Torres had replaced Eric Gagne, who forfeited that role when he struggled in the early weeks of the season. Gagne is a free agent whom the Brewers have not tried to keep.

I get the impression that the Brewers are trying to get this thing done ASAP, so look for updates throughout the day.